Obviously there are a number of reasons why being popular and financially successful in your home city is critical. The sheer benefit of not spending your money or time traveling in the car or van for a number of hours to play a show for 20 people is one. Here are some others you may not be thinking about that can be to your benefit.

With a large and growing fan base that comes to your shows and have bought your CDs, you will be able to attract the attention of artists in neighboring cities you would like to play in next. Since you are successful in your home area, you can play with other artists who are successful in their home cities.

This obviously gives you a dramatic advantage in promoting your music in new markets. In essence you will have an instant audience to play for in the new cities you go after. While you are capturing
the interest of artists in other markets, you are also attracting the attention of major label artists.

As you know, most major label artists are counting on the airplay they have received to deliver them an audience. Unfortunately they find themselves in the same position as other new artists. Booked into venues where they can’t fill the room by themselves. Well guess what?

You are the answers to their problem! Yes, you! Your dedicated fan base can fill up the back half of the room or can help both of you play an even larger venue. Of course the other benefits include getting paid more to perform, media coverage and hundreds of potential new fans you will be playing to. Not to forget what influence your dedicated fans will on the new people that come to the show.

Focus on being successful at home first and see what opportunities it creates for your music career!